This site is intended for Healthcare Professionals only

Scenario: Donating blood

Team Training bookmark icon off

Scenario: Donating blood

Jack pops into the pharmacy for some last minute items for his trip to Kenya and says the only thing he has left to do is give blood...

“I’m pretty much sorted for my trip to Kenya now,” he says. “All my injections are done – and there were loads of them; hep A, tetanus, cholera, typhoid, even yellow fever and meningitis – and I’ve got my Malarone, insect repellents and mosquito net to stave off malaria. I thought I wasn’t going to be able to do a blood donation before I went but I saw the board outside the church hall on my way here, so I’m going to go this afternoon.” Technician Vicky looks concerned. “Are you sure you can donate with all those immunisations, Jack? Parveen, what do you think?”

Answer

According to the NHS Blood and Transplant website, it is fine to donate blood after having travel immunisations for hepatitis A, tetanus, typhoid, cholera and meningitis. The malaria medication also does not preclude blood donation, but Jack will need to wait six months after returning to the UK from Kenya and will have to answer more questions than usual at the next session to ensure he can give blood safely.

The bigger picture

England’s national blood service was created the same year as the birth of the NHS – 1946 – but relies not on Government funding, but on volunteers to keep it going. Donated blood is often associated with the whole blood transfusions that are sometimes necessary in emergencies, but this is rare nowadays.

Instead, donated blood is usually separated with the red cells often used in the treatment of anaemia, platelets used to manage bone marrow failure and post-transplant surgery and chemotherapy, and the plasma used to reverse anticoagulant treatment, during cardiac and obstetric surgery, and to help generate the Anti-D so important for rhesus negative pregnant women carrying rhesus positive babies, among other uses. Most people can give blood, provided they are fit and healthy, weigh over 50kg (7 stone 12lbs) and are aged between 17 and 66 years.

However, certain health conditions, medicines, jobs and travelling can affect an individual’s ability to give blood, and this is something you may be asked about. An A to Z searchable list is available at my.blood.co.uk/Knowledgebase, and for those with complex medication regimens, concurrent health issues or extensive travel plans, NHS Blood’s Donor Helpline’s referral team – contactable on 0300 1232323, Monday to Friday 8am to 7pm – can assist.

Extend your learning

  • Does your pharmacy advertise local blood drives? Find out when and where the nearest are at my.blood.co.uk/Home so that you are able to signpost appropriately
  • Do you know some of the commonest reasons for not being able to donate blood (e.g. antibiotic therapy, recent dental work, tattoos and piercings)? Find out more at blood.co.uk/donor-information/make-sure-you-can-give.
Copy Link copy link button

Team Training

Team training helps you focus on how your team works together, enables you to improve professional relationships and build a stronger team.

Share: